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SD 3913

Department of Environmental Protection Single Use Plastics FY25 Report

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

MassDEP must run a FY25 grant program (min $150k) to help small businesses replace single-use plastics with reusable/biodegradable options, prioritizing low-income areas.

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Bill Summary · SD 3913

Overview

Bill SD 3913 (Session 194th, Massachusetts) concerns the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) single-use plastics program and its reporting requirements for FY25, as established in Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024. The bill outlines grant programs and related activities aimed at reducing single-use plastics by supporting reusable, biodegradable, and compostable alternatives, with emphasis on assistance to small businesses and communities in low-income areas. It also provides status updates and outcomes from MassDEP’s prior grant cycles.

Main purpose and intent

  • To continue and report on MassDEP efforts to reduce single-use plastics through grants and technical assistance.
  • To fund and oversee programs that replace single-use food serviceware with reusable or alternative options.
  • To prioritize grants to small businesses located in low-income communities and to document program implementation and impact.

Key provisions and changes

  • FY25 Grant Program Administration:

    • MassDEP is required to develop and administer a grant program for small businesses to support alternatives to single-use plastics.
    • Minimum funding: at least $150,000 to develop and administer the grant program.
    • Eligible uses for grant funds include purchasing biodegradable, compostable, or reusable food serviceware, water bottles, bags, packaging, or other plastics reduction activities.
    • Prioritization: small businesses located in low-income communities must be prioritized in grant reviews.
    • Reporting deadline: by June 30, 2025, MassDEP must submit a report to the Senate and House Committees on Ways and Means and the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources detailing:
    • Names and locations of grantees
    • Grant amounts distributed
    • Implemented plastic reduction efforts funded by the grants
    • Estimated amount of single-use plastics reduced (if possible)

  • Scope of Past and Current Programs:

    • MassDEP provided grants and technical assistance through three programs: 1) Reduce, Reuse and Repair Micro-Grants (grants $3,000–$10,000; projects up to 1 year) 2) Recycling & Reuse Business Development Grants (grants $50,000–$400,000; focus on expanding recycling, reuse, and composting) 3) RecyclingWorks Massachusetts (outreach and technical assistance; contracted for $45,000)

Who would be affected

  • Small businesses, non-profits, municipalities, regional authorities, and schools/colleges engaged in reducing single-use plastics through reusables or alternative materials.
  • Communities in low-income areas would benefit from prioritized access to grant funding.
  • Organizations involved in the three MassDEP programs (Reduce-Reuse-Repair Micro-Grants; Recycling & Reuse Business Development Grants; RecyclingWorks Massachusetts) and those seeking technical guidance and best practices for reusable systems.

Examples of recent grants and activities

  • Reduce-Reuse-Repair Micro-Grants (examples from the most recent cycle):

    • Lawrence General Hospital: $10,000 to replace single-use pitchers and cups with reusables
    • Colrain Central School & Sanderson Academy: $2,012 for reusable serving supplies
    • Women's LunchPlace (Boston): $5,000 to replace single-use dishware in a shelter
    • Berkshire Environmental Action Team: $9,444 for dishware replacement at events

  • Recycling & Reuse Business Development Grants (recent cycle):

    • Re:Dish: $150,000 to expand reusable warewashing and replacement services
    • Recirclable LLC: $70,000 for software to broaden reusable takeout container use

  • RecyclingWorks Massachusetts:

    • $45,000 contract for guidance, outreach, and technical assistance
    • Production of best-practice guidance, blogs, and case studies; outreach to industry sectors; conference and webinar presentations

Timelines and procedural aspects

  • FY25 funding and program administration to be implemented by MassDEP as directed.
  • Monthly and annual reporting: ongoing program documentation with a key report due by June 30, 2025 detailing grant implementation and impact.
  • The bill references Chapter 140 (2024) and the FY25 General Appropriations Act, tying program activities to statutory and budgetary requirements.

Potential impact

  • Increased adoption of reusable and alternative food serviceware in Massachusetts, with measurable reductions in single-use plastics.
  • Enhanced support for small businesses and organizations serving low-income communities through targeted funding.
  • Better data on grant recipients, activities, and estimated plastic reductions to inform policy decisions and future funding.

Note: The summary focuses on the substantive provisions, program structure, affected parties, and timeline details as reflected in the bill text and related fiscal instructions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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